Defiant Joy by Stasi Eldredge

From the publisher:

 We all spend a lot of energy reaching for happiness, but we are never quite able to hang on to it. Real life happens, and our circumstances take us on an emotional rollercoaster ride. So the Bible’s call to “be joyful always” sounds almost crazy—and out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be.

Joy is meant to be ours, a joy that is defiant in the face of this broken world. This joy is not simply happiness on steroids; it’s the unyielding belief that sorrow and loss do not have the final say. It’s the stubborn determination to be present to whatever may come and to interpret both goodness and grief by the light of heaven.

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As an individual that struggles with depression and anxiety what I appreciated was the Stasi doesn't come from the side of "I have a joyful life, so should you!" Instead she shares dark and painful things she has gone through and how DESPITE all that she has chose to take hold of joy and hope and beauty.  Her joy is defiant because it seems like she should just despair and give up, but instead she chooses joy. I and thankful that this book is out there and for her perspective as she wrote and shared.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter

From the publisher:

After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.

Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ.

Jack could kill his friend Noah for using his initials and some indistinct photos to set up a profile on the dating app Daisy is using. But when he’s finally afforded the opportunity to show her a different side of himself, he’s sucked into the plan before he has time for second thoughts.

Online, Daisy shares some of her greatest fears with TJ, but in person, Jack and Daisy are spending more time together. When a devastating family secret surfaces, Daisy knows that only her trusted friend and counselor can bring her comfort. Jack wants nothing more than to be both men for Daisy, but revealing his secret will prove to be the ultimate test of Daisy’s grace.

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This is the 3rd book in the Blue Ridge Romance series.  I definitely recommend reading the other two books before this one, as it will help you know the characters and town better.  

These books are fun and engaging to read.  I liked having the story between Daisy and Jack develop over two "timelines" so to speak as they get to know each other in different way.  If you enjoyed old classics like The Shop Around the Corner this will be a good book for you.  Characters falling in love without realizing it.

There are lessons to be learned by each character, forgiveness to give, and that is something that any reader can relate to.

As always, Denise Hunter is a fun read!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.